Remote system for providing vehicle information to a user

ABSTRACT

A system for providing vehicle location information or confirmation of remote entry system operation to a user. In one embodiment, a vehicle transceiver receives a wireless vehicle device function signal, and a vehicle controller generates a vehicle device control signal for use in operating a vehicle device in response. The vehicle controller also confirms operation of the vehicle device, and the vehicle transceiver transmits a wireless vehicle device function confirmation signal. A remote unit includes a transceiver for operation by the user for transmitting the vehicle device function signal and for receiving the vehicle device function confirmation signal. The remote unit also includes an indicator for providing an indication to the user confirming operation of the vehicle device, and a storage device for storing retrievable data representing the indication confirming operation of the vehicle device.

This is a divisional of copending application(s) Ser. No. 10/027,627filed on Dec. 21, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system for remotely providing vehiclelocation or vehicle device information to a user.

2. Background

Remote keyless entry systems for use with motor vehicles are well knownin the art. Such systems typically include at least one remote controldevice, which typically takes the form of a key fob. The key fobincludes a wireless transmitter for use by the vehicle owner or user totransmit wireless, usually radio frequency (RF), vehicle device functionsignals, and includes a number of vehicle function buttons for use intransmitting such signals. A receiver and controller are typicallyprovided in the vehicle for receiving the vehicle device functionsignals and controlling one or more vehicle devices in order to effectthe desired vehicle function.

Vehicle devices which may be remotely controlled in such a fashion mayinclude door lock mechanisms, automatic doors, a vehicle trunk, interiorand/or exterior vehicle lights, a vehicle horn, or a vehicle alarm. Inthat regard, transmission of vehicle device function signals may effectlocking or unlocking of a vehicle door, closing or opening a vehicledoor, opening a vehicle trunk, activating interior and/or exteriorvehicle lights, or activating a vehicle horn or alarm.

In such remote keyless entry systems, it is known to use a vehicle hornand/or exterior lights, such as headlamps, to aid in locating thevehicle. In that regard, for example, a key fob may be provided with avehicle locator button specifically for use in locating the vehicle.Activation by the vehicle owner or user of the vehicle locator button onthe key fob causes transmission of a signal that, when received at thevehicle, may cause the vehicle horn to sound or the vehicle headlamps toflash a number of times to help the vehicle owner or user locate thevehicle, such as in a crowded parking lot or garage.

It is also known to use a vehicle horn and/or exterior lights in suchremote keyless entry systems to provide feedback to the vehicle owner oruser concerning the success of a requested vehicle function, or toprovide an alarm for use in the event of an emergency. In that regard, afirst activation by a user of a vehicle door lock button on a key fobmay, for example, cause transmission of a vehicle device function signalfor use in locking the vehicle doors. Within a short time after thatfirst activation, a second activation by the user of the vehicle doorlook button may cause transmission of a signal that in turn causes thevehicle horn to sound or the vehicle headlamps to flash in order toimmediately confirm for the user that the vehicle doors have beensuccessfully locked. A key fob may also include an alarm button,activation of which by the vehicle owner or user causes transmission ofa signal that in turn causes the vehicle horn and/or a separate vehiclealarm to sound repeatedly, and may also cause the vehicle headlamps toflash repeatedly. While not necessarily intended by manufacturers tohelp locate a vehicle, such confirmation and/or alarm functions of a keyfob may also be used for vehicle location by a vehicle owner or user.

However, using remote keyless entry systems to locate a vehicle asdescribed above may be ineffective and/or undesirable. Morespecifically, flashing exterior vehicle lights may not be noticeableduring daylight hours, and a horn may not be perceptible in high noiseareas. Still further, flashing lights and/or a sounding horn or alarmmay also compromise the security of a vehicle owner or user, as thelocation of the vehicle may also be provided to others.

Moreover, after leaving the vicinity of a vehicle, the vehicle owner oruser may become uncertain as to whether, for example, the vehicle doorswere locked. In that event, if the user is no longer within the range ofthe key fob transmitter, the user is unable to confirm that a vehiclefunction, such a door locking operation, was successfully undertaken.

Thus, there exists a need for an improved system for providing vehiclelocation information to a vehicle owner or user. Such a system wouldovercome the above-described problems associated with prior art remoteentry system vehicle location functions. Such a system would preferablyuse a remote unit, such as a key fob, to provide a vehicle user with anindication of a directional location of the vehicle relative to theremote unit, preferably based on the signal strength of a wirelessvehicle locator signal transmitted from the remote unit.

There also exists a need for an improved system for providing vehicledevice information to a vehicle owner or user. Such a system wouldovercome the above-described problems associated with confirmation ofvehicle device operations in prior art remote keyless entry systems.Such a system would preferably use a remote unit, such as a key fob, toprovide a vehicle user with confirmation of the operation of a vehicledevice, preferably using an indicator, such as a display, on the remoteunit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a systemfor remotely providing vehicle location or vehicle device information toa user.

According to the present invention, then, in a remote entry system for avehicle, a system is provided for providing confirmation of remote entrysystem operation to a user. The system comprises a first transceiver tobe located in the vehicle for receiving a wireless vehicle devicefunction signal, a first controller to be located in the vehicle and tobe provided in communication with the first transceiver, the firstcontroller for generating a vehicle device control signal for use inoperating a vehicle device in response to the vehicle device functionsignal and for confirming operation of the vehicle device, wherein thefirst transceiver transmits a wireless vehicle device functionconfirmation signal, and a remote unit. The remote unit comprises asecond transceiver having a transceiver activation button for operationby the user, the second transceiver for transmitting the vehicle devicefunction signal in response to operation of the transceiver activationbutton by the user, and for receiving the vehicle device functionconfirmation signal, and a second controller in communication with thesecond transceiver for generating an indicator control signal inresponse to the vehicle device function confirmation signal. The remoteunit further comprises an indicator in communication with the secondcontroller for receiving the indicator control signal and providing anindication to the user in response thereto, the indication confirmingoperation of the vehicle device, and a storage device in communicationwith the second controller, the storage device for storing datarepresenting the indication confirming operation of the vehicle device,the data being retrievable by the user.

According to the present invention, a system is also provided forproviding vehicle location information to a user. The system comprises afirst transceiver to be located in the vehicle for receiving a wirelessvehicle locator signal, and a first controller to be located in thevehicle and to be provided in communication with the first transceiver,the first controller for determining a signal strength of the vehiclelocator signal, wherein the first transceiver transmits a wirelessvehicle directional signal when a maximum signal strength of the vehiclelocator signal is determined, and a remote unit. The remote unitcomprises a second transceiver for transmitting the vehicle locatorsignal, and for receiving the vehicle directional signal, a secondcontroller in communication with the second transceiver for generatingan indicator control signal in response to the vehicle directionalsignal, and an indicator in communication with the second controller forreceiving the indicator control signal and providing an indication tothe user in response thereto of a directional location of the vehiclerelative to the remote unit.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth in thefollowing detailed descriptions thereof, including the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified, exemplary block diagram including one embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified, exemplary block diagram including anotherembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a simplified, exemplary environmental diagram including thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring now to the Figures, the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention will now be described in detail. As previously noted, remotekeyless entry systems for use with motor vehicles are well known in theart. Such systems typically include at least one remote control device,which typically takes the form of a key fob. The key fob includes awireless transmitter for use by the vehicle owner or user to transmitwireless, usually RF, vehicle device function signals, and includes anumber of vehicle function buttons for use in transmitting such signals.A receiver and controller are typically provided in the vehicle forreceiving the vehicle device function signals and controlling one ormore vehicle devices in order to effect the desired vehicle function.

Vehicle devices which may be remotely controlled in such a fashion mayinclude door lock mechanisms, automatic doors, a vehicle trunk, interiorand/or exterior vehicle lights, a vehicle horn, or a vehicle alarm. Inthat regard, transmission of vehicle device function signals may effectlocking or unlocking of a vehicle door, closing or opening a vehicledoor, opening a vehicle trunk, activating interior and/or exteriorvehicle lights, or activating a vehicle horn or alarm.

As also described previously, in such remote keyless entry systems, itis known to use a vehicle horn and/or exterior lights, such asheadlamps, to aid in locating the vehicle. In that regard, for example,a key fob may be provided with a vehicle locator button specifically foruse in locating the vehicle. Activation by the vehicle owner or user ofthe vehicle locator button on the key fob causes transmission of asignal that, when received at the vehicle, may cause the vehicle horn tosound or the vehicle headlamps to flash a number of times to help thevehicle owner or user locate the vehicle, such as in a crowded parkinglot or garage.

It is also known to use a vehicle horn and/or exterior lights in suchremote keyless entry systems to provide feedback to the vehicle owner oruser concerning the success of a requested vehicle function, or toprovide an alarm for use in the event of an emergency. In that regard, afirst activation by a user of a vehicle door lock button on a key fobmay, for example, cause transmission of a signal for use in locking thevehicle doors. Within a short time after that first activation, a secondactivation by the user of the vehicle door look button may causetransmission of a signal that in turn causes the vehicle horn to soundor the vehicle headlamps to flash in order to immediately confirm forthe user that the vehicle doors have been successfully locked. A key fobmay also include an alarm button, activation of which by the vehicleowner or user causes transmission of a signal that in turn causes thevehicle horn and/or a separate vehicle alarm to sound repeatedly, andmay also cause the vehicle headlamps to flash repeatedly. While notnecessarily intended by manufacturers to help locate a vehicle, suchconfirmation and/or alarm functions of a key fob may also be used forsuch a purpose by a vehicle owner or user.

However, as previously described, using remote keyless entry systems tolocate a vehicle as described above may be ineffective and/orundesirable. More specifically, flashing exterior vehicle lights may notbe noticeable during daylight hours, and a horn may not be perceptiblein high noise areas. Still further, flashing lights and/or a soundinghorn or alarm may also compromise the security of a vehicle owner oruser, as the location of the vehicle may also be provided to others.

Moreover, as also previously described, after leaving the vicinity of avehicle, the vehicle owner or user may become uncertain as to whether,for example, the vehicle doors were locked. In that event, if the useris no longer within the range of the key fob transmitter, the user isunable to confirm that a vehicle function, such a door lockingoperation, was successfully undertaken.

Thus, there exists a need for an improved system for providing vehiclelocation information to a vehicle owner or user. Such a system wouldovercome the above-described problems associated with prior art remoteentry system vehicle location functions. Such a system would preferablyuse a remote unit, such as a key fob, to provide a vehicle user with anindication of a directional location of the vehicle relative to theremote unit, preferably based on the signal strength of a wirelessvehicle locator signal transmitted from the remote unit.

There also exists a need for an improved system for providing vehicledevice information to a vehicle owner or user. Such a system wouldovercome the above-described problems associated with confirmation ofvehicle device operations in prior art remote keyless entry systems.Such a system would preferably use a remote unit, such as a key fob, toprovide a vehicle user with confirmation of the operation of a vehicledevice, preferably using an indicator, such as a display, on the remoteunit.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a simplified, exemplary block diagram includingone embodiment of the present invention is shown in a remote entrysystem for a vehicle. As seen therein, the system of the presentinvention comprises a transceiver (10) located in a vehicle (12).Vehicle transceiver (10) is provided in communication with a controller(14), also located in vehicle (12). Vehicle transceiver (10) and vehiclecontroller (14) may both be part of a vehicle control module (16).

Vehicle receiver (10) is for receiving a wireless vehicle devicefunction signal (18). Vehicle controller (14) is for generating avehicle device control signal (not shown) for use in operating a vehicledevice (20) in response to receipt of vehicle device function signal(18) by vehicle transceiver (10). As previously described, vehicledevice (20) could be a vehicle door lock mechanism, a vehicle trunk, anautomatic vehicle door, interior and/or exterior vehicle lights, avehicle horn, a vehicle alarm, or other vehicle device. In that regard,vehicle device function signal (18) may be a door lock mechanismfunction (lock or unlock), a vehicle trunk function (trunk unlock), anautomatic door function (door open or door close), vehicle lightfunctions (on or off), a vehicle horn function (on or off), a vehiclealarm function (on or off), or any other type of function. Vehiclecontroller (14) is also for confirming operation of vehicle device (20)in response to the vehicle device control signal. Upon suchconfirmation, vehicle transceiver (10) transmits a wireless vehicledevice function confirmation signal (22).

Referring still to FIG. 1, the system further comprises a remote unit(24). Although not necessary, remote unit (24) is preferably part of akey fob for use in a vehicle remote entry system. Remote unit (24)comprises a transceiver (26), a controller (28), an indicator (30), astorage device (32), a recall device (34), and a battery (36).Transceiver (26) has a transceiver activation button (27) for operationby a user (not shown). Transceiver (26) is for transmitting vehicledevice function signal (18) in response to operation of the transceiveractivation button (27) by the user, and for receiving vehicle devicefunction confirmation signal (22) from vehicle transceiver (10).

Transceiver (26) is provided in communication with controller (28),which is itself provided in communication with indicator (30).Controller is for generating an indicator control signal (not shown) inresponse to receipt of vehicle device function confirmation signal (22)by transceiver (26). Indicator (30) is for receiving the indicatorcontrol signal and providing an indication to the user in responseconfirming operation of vehicle device (20). In that regard, indicator(30) is preferably a display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD),although any other type of indicator could be used, such as a lightemitting diode (LED). Where indicator (30) comprises a display, theindication to the user confirming operation of vehicle device (20) couldbe a text confirmation message provided on the display. In any event,such an indication confirming operation of vehicle device (20) may be,for example, an indication that a vehicle door is locked or unlocked,that the vehicle trunk is open or closed, or that an automatic vehicledoor is open or closed.

Still referring to FIG. 1, storage device (32) is for storing datarepresenting the indication confirming operation of vehicle device (20),such as the previously described confirmation message. Such data isretrievable from storage device (32) by the user, using recall device(34). In that regard, storage device (32) is preferably a random accessmemory (RAM), and recall device (34) is at least one switch or button onremote unit (24) for activation by the user to access storage device(32) for retrieval of such data.

As is well known in the art, battery (36) provides electrical power foroperation of transceiver (26), controller (28), indicator (30), storagedevice (32), and recall device (34), and should be suitable for same. Inthat regard, to help conserve the electrical power of battery (36),transceiver (26) is preferably operable for receiving vehicle devicefunction confirmation signal (22) only for a short predetermined timeperiod after operation of transceiver activation button (27) by theuser.

In such a fashion, even after leaving the vicinity of vehicle (12), avehicle owner or user who has become uncertain can confirm, for example,whether the vehicle doors were locked. That is, according to the presentinvention, even outside the range of transceiver (26) of remote unit(24), the user can confirm whether a door locking operation wassuccessfully undertaken by using recall device (34) and storage device(32) to check the status of the vehicle door lock mechanism.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a simplified, exemplary block diagram includinganother embodiment of the present invention is shown. In thisembodiment, the system comprises many of the same components depicted inFIG. 1, which components are depicted in FIG. 2 using like numerals. Asseen in FIG. 2, the system of the present invention is for providingvehicle location information to a user and comprises a transceiver (10)located in a vehicle (12). Vehicle transceiver (10) is provided incommunication with a controller (14), also located in vehicle (12).Vehicle transceiver (10) and vehicle controller (14) may both be part ofa vehicle control module (16).

Vehicle receiver (10) is for receiving a wireless vehicle locator signal(18). Vehicle controller (14) is for determining a signal strength ofvehicle locator signal (18). In that regard, controller (14) preferablycomprises a microprocessor including a received signal strengthindicator (RSSI). The RSSI output is proportional to the vehicle locatorsignal (18) received by vehicle receiver (10). In that regard, as thestrength of wireless vehicle locator signal (18) increases or decreases,there is a corresponding increase or decrease in DC voltage present atthe RSSI output. Vehicle transceiver (10) transmits a wireless vehicledirectional signal (22) when a maximum signal strength of the vehiclelocator signal (18) is determined. That is, by using the DC voltage atthe RSSI output, vehicle transceiver (10) can transmit vehicledirectional signal (22) indicating when a maximum signal strength ofvehicle locator signal (18) was sampled.

Referring still to FIG. 2, the system further comprises a remote unit(24). In that regard, remote unit (24) may be part of a key fob for usein a vehicle remote entry system. Remote unit (24) comprises atransceiver (26), a controller (28), and an indicator (30). Transceiver(26) may be provided with a transceiver activation button (27) foroperation by a user (not shown). Transceiver (26) is for transmittingvehicle locator signal (18), such as in response to operation oftransceiver activation button (27) by the user, and for receivingvehicle directional signal (22) from vehicle transceiver (10).

Transceiver (26) is provided in communication with controller (28),which is itself provided in communication with indicator (30).Controller (28) is for generating an indicator control signal (notshown) in response to receipt of vehicle directional signal (22) bytransceiver (26). Indicator (30) is for receiving the indicator controlsignal and providing an indication to the user in response of adirectional location of vehicle (12) relative to remote unit (24). Inthat regard, indicator (30) is preferably a lamp, such as in the shapeof an arrow, illuminated by a light emitting diode (LED). Alternatively,a display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) could be used. Whereindicator (30) comprises a display, the indication to the user of adirectional location of vehicle (12) relative to remote unit (24) couldbe a directional arrow provided on the display.

Controller (28) may also determine a signal strength of vehicledirectional signal (22) received by transceiver (26). In that regard,controller (28) preferably comprises a microprocessor including areceived signal strength indicator (RSSI). Once again, the RSSI outputis proportional to vehicle directional signal (22) received bytransceiver (26). As the strength of wireless vehicle directional signal(22) increases, there is a corresponding increase in DC voltage presentat the RSSI output. By using the DC voltage at the RSSI output,controller (28) can determine the strength of vehicle directional signal(22), and indicator (30) can provide an indication of a distance betweenvehicle (12) and remote unit (24) based on the determined signalstrength of vehicle directional signal (22). In that regard, whereindicator (30) comprises a display, the indication of a distance betweenvehicle (12) and remote unit (24) may be numeric information provided onthe display.

Referring next to FIG. 3, a simplified, exemplary environmental diagramof the present invention is shown, depicting the car location featurethereof. Once again, like numerals are used in FIG. 3 to depict the samecomponents previously depicted in FIG. 2. As seen in FIG. 3, a remoteunit (24) includes a transceiver (not shown), which transmits vehiclelocator signal (18) in a directed pattern. User (40) points remote unit(24), and thus the transceiver, and turns until indicator (not shown) onremote unit (24), such as an arrow, lights up indicating the directionin which vehicle (12) lies relative to remote unit (24). As previouslydescribed, vehicle (12) is provided with vehicle transceiver (10) andvehicle controller (not shown), which receive and measure the energy ofvehicle locator signal (18) using an RSSI output, or by other suitablemeans of measuring energy or strength of wireless (preferably RF)vehicle locator signal (18).

In that regard, when user (40) initiates the car location function, thetransceiver (not shown) in remote unit (24) starts to send data (i.e.,vehicle locator signal (18)) to the transceiver (10) in vehicle (12).Because of the directed pattern of vehicle locator signal (18), as theuser (40) holding remote unit (24) begins to turn, the signal strengthmeasured by the vehicle controller (not shown) at the RSSI output willbe highest once the user (40) is pointed directly at vehicle (12). Asthe different power levels present at the vehicle (12) are measured, thevehicle transceiver (10) transmits back to the transceiver (not shown)of remote unit (24), which then indicates from what direction thehighest power level was received. As previously discussed, an LED (notshown) or any other type of indicator may be used on remote unit (24) toshow direction.

As is readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description, thepresent invention provides a system for remotely providing vehiclelocation or vehicle device information to a user. In one embodiment, thepresent invention provides an improved system for providing vehiclelocation information to a user that overcomes the previously describedproblems associated with prior art remote entry system vehicle locationfunctions. The system includes a remote unit, such as a key fob, toprovide a vehicle user with an indication of a directional location ofthe vehicle relative to the remote unit based on the signal strength ofa wireless vehicle locator signal transmitted from the remote unit. Inanother embodiment, the present invention provides an improved systemfor providing vehicle device information to a user that overcomes thepreviously described problems associated with confirmation of vehicledevice operations in prior art remote keyless entry systems. The systemincludes a remote unit, such as a key fob, to provide a user withconfirmation of the operation of a vehicle device using an indicator,such as a display, on the remote unit.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described,it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe allpossible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in thespecification are words of description rather than limitation, and it isunderstood that various changes may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for providing vehicle locationinformation to a user comprising: a first transceiver to be located inthe vehicle for receiving a wireless vehicle locator signal; a firstcontroller to be located in the vehicle and to be provided incommunication with the first transceiver, the first controller fordetermining a signal strength of the vehicle locator signal, wherein thefirst transceiver transmits a wireless vehicle directional signal when amaximum signal strength of the vehicle locator signal is determined; anda remote unit comprising, a second transceiver for transmitting thevehicle locator signal, and for receiving the vehicle directionalsignal, a second controller in communication with the second transceiverfor generating an indicator control signal in response to the vehicledirectional signal, and an indicator in communication with the secondcontroller for receiving the indicator control signal and providing anindication to the user in response thereto of a directional location ofthe vehicle relative to the remote unit.
 2. The system of claim 1wherein the second controller determines a signal strength of thevehicle directional signal and the indicator provides an indication of adistance between the vehicle and the remote unit based on the determinedsignal strength of the vehicle directional signal.
 3. The system ofclaim 2 wherein the second controller comprises a received signalstrength indicator.
 4. The system of claim 2 wherein the indicatorcomprises a display and the indication comprises a directional arrowprovided on the display.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein the indicationfurther comprises numeric information provided on the display.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the remote unit is for operation by the user.7. The system of claim 1 wherein the indicator comprises a display andthe indication comprises a directional arrow provided on the display. 8.The system of claim 1 wherein the indicator comprises a light emittingdiode.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote transceiver transmitsthe vehicle locator signal in a directed pattern.
 10. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the first controller comprises a received signalstrength indicator.